Run, Karla, Run!

Tackling my running goals 8 months post-baby in Boston.

“Don’t call it a come back…” Nearly one year ago, I had a baby. Over the course of that year, I clawed my way back to running.

I wanted to give myself 9 months to get back into shape. It takes that long to make a baby, so I figured I’d give my body an equal amount of time to unmake it, so to speak. I focused on getting my fitness and speed back before even contemplating upping my mileage and endurance. Why? It’s just what I could wrap my brain around and, honestly, all I had time for.

So over the course of those 9 months I raced three 5Ks and a 4-ish-mile trail run. I didn’t follow any particular training plan. At first, I just ran however far or fast I could muster that day. Eventually, I threw in some faster workouts. And only recently have I started upping my mileage.

Now, I’m training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February, and a marathon later in the spring! I really wanted to target one year post-baby for some big running goals. The Disney Princess Half just happens to perfectly coincide with my daughter’s first birthday, so we’re going to Disney!

I’m not even going to pretend that her first Disney trip is for her. It’s 95 percent for me and maybe 5 percent for her. She’s registered for the Diaper Dash, and has been crawling up a storm in training. Who knows, she might even be walking by then.

And me? The current plan is to run this one as hard as I can (Florida weather permitting) and see where that gets me. And, yes, there will be costumes. Read the rest of this entry →

The 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon celebrates 25 years. (Photo: runDisney)

The 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna from January 3-7 at Walt Disney World in Florida marks the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon. The four-day Dopey Challenge celebrates its 5th anniversary.

The racing extravaganza is the largest running festival in the U.S., according to RunningUSA, with five main events: Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K, Walt Disney World 5K and runDisney Kids Races. That includes runners doubling, tripling, or quadrupling their fun with the Dopey Challenge, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, and Castaway Cay Challenge for runners taking a Disney cruise after the race weekend.

It all adds up to one big event. Nearly 69,000 finishers completed races in 2016. So take a look at Mickey Mouse’s favorite race weekend by the numbers. All stats provided by runDisney prior to the start of the races.

The first Walt Disney World Marathon starting line in 1994. (Photo: runDisney)

2018 Walt Disney World Marathon By The Numbers

Participation

808,000—runners have participated in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events since 1994

363,000—runners have tackled the Walt Disney World Marathon alone

187,000—runners participate in runDisney races each year

100,000—runners and spectators expected at the 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

97,000—registrations for the 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, with many runners completing multiple races

26,000—runners registered for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon

25,500—2018 Walt Disney World Marathon registrations

15,000—runners registered for the Walt Disney World 5K

14,700—registations for the Walt Disney World 10K

9,000—Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge registrants, who complete both the half-marathon and marathon

4,000—kids registered for the runDisney Kids Races

7,800—Dopey Challenge registrants, who complete all of the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon. *Ed. Note: This is an estimate. runDisney provided 2,800 as a number, but based on the number of Dopey finishers and the 2017 registration number, 7,800 is likely more accurate. Thanks to readers for catching the mistake!

600+—runners have completed every 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge since 2014

88—countries represented

76—”Perfect” runners, who have finished every Walt Disney World Marathon since 1994, are registered in 2018. 45 of them are from Florida. Read the rest of this entry →

The 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon kicked off with a 5K (Disney Sports)

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UPDATE: 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon By The Numbers Is Here!

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The 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna kicked off January 4 and runs, literally, through the title event on January 8 at Walt Disney World in Florida. The Walt Disney World Half Marathon celebrates its 20th running this year.

The five-day extravaganza is one of the largest running festivals in the U.S. with five main events: Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K, Walt Disney World 5K and runDisney Kids Races. That includes runners doubling, tripling, or quadrupling their fun with the Dopey Challenge, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, and Castaway Cay Challenge.

New Balance released their 2017 runDisney Collection of shoes at the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, with designs that pay homage to iconic Disney parks rides Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Mad Tea Party, and Toy Story Mania.

It all adds up to one big event. So take a look at Mickey Mouse’s favorite race weekend by the numbers.

7,800 runners will take on the Dopey Challenge in 2017. (Disney Sports)

2017 Walt Disney World Marathon By The Numbers

Participation

323,000—runners who have registered for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in its 20 years

230,000—runners who take part in runDisney events each year

100,000—runners and spectators expected at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

78,000—registrations for the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Read the rest of this entry →

Jason Simpson set a race record at the 2016 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. (runDisney)

The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2016 presented by MISFIT from November 3 to 6 at Walt Disney World in Florida hosted 31,000 runners tackling food-themed races.

The three-day extravaganza featured the new Disney Wine & Dine 10K along with the inaugural Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, which had runners feasting on the 10K and half-marathon on back-to-back days. The weekend also included Mickey’s Holiday 5K, runDisney Kids Races, the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, and the weekend’s signature post-race party where Epcot and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival stayed open into the wee hours for runners and ticket-holders.

Take a look at the numbers behind Disney’s tastiest race weekend.

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2016 By The Numbers

For the first time, the half marathon took place in the morning. (runDisney)

225 million—dishes will served during the 62-day 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

266,000—cups of water given to runners during race weekend

250,000—runners who take part in runDisney events each year

31,000—registered runners for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2016 Weekend 

14,000—runners registered for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon

12,651—finishers at the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon

10,000—runners registered for the Disney Wine & Dine 10K 

9,260—finishers at the Disney Wine & Dine 10K

6,000—runners registered for the Disney Wine & Dine 5K Read the rest of this entry →

Paula Radcliffe joins Mickey Mouse at Disneyland Paris Half Marathon (Disneyland Paris)

The inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend is finally here! From Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25, I’m here to catch all the action as a media guest of runDisney.

The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney’s first event outside the U.S., includes the title half-marathon, Disneyland 5K, runDisney Kids Races, and ticketed parties the night before each event.

The Castle to Chateau Challenge medal (Disney)

The courses tour runners through Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney Village and environs, including jaunts down Main Street, U.S.A. and through Sleeping Beauty Castle. And like all runDisney races, runners will find Disney characters and entertainment all along the way.

In true runDisney fashion, the race will be part of the new Castle to Chateau Race Challenge. Runners who complete the half-marathon at Disneyland Paris and a half or marathon at either Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in the same calendar year will earn a special medal for the occasion.

What else? Here’s a look at just some of the stats behind the first Disneyland Paris Half Marathon.

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon By The Numbers

230,000—people participate in runDisney events each year

Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2017 registration opens soon. (Disney)

Registration for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2017 Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry opens Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 12 p.m. Eastern. The women-focused race weekend takes place from May 11-14, 2017 at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The race is the third largest women’s running event in the U.S. with 11,435 finishers in 2015.

In addition to the title half marathon, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2017 Weekend also includes the Pixie Dust Challenge presented by PANDORA Jewelry, Tinker Bell 10K presented by PANDORA Jewelry, Never Land 5K presented by PANDORA Jewelry, and runDisney Kids Races.

The runDisney Health and Fitness Expo is free and open to the public Thursday, May 11 through Saturday, May 13. That’s where runners pick-up their bibs and race gear, find official runDisney merchandise, along with the coveted runDisney New Balance shoes, other retailers showcasing running apparel and products, and more. Read the rest of this entry →

Donald Duck cheers on runners. (Disney)

The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna celebrates its 11th anniversary over Labor Day Weekend with more than 32,000 runners. From Sept. 1 through Sept. 4, 2016 in Anaheim, Calif., runners will take on everything from a Diaper Dash for the littlest among them to 13.1 miles in the main event on Sunday.

The weekend’s races include the Disneyland 5K, Disneyland 10K, Dumbo Double Dare, runDisney Kids Races, and the Disneyland Half Marathon with a flat and fast course through Disney California Adventure theme park, Disneyland theme park, the streets of Anaheim, and Angel Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels.

Here’s a look at the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend by the numbers.

Runners at Sleeping Beauty Castle (Disney)

2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend By The Numbers

Read the rest of this entry →

R2D2 greets runners at The Dark Side Star Wars Half Marathon. (runDisney)

Registration for The Dark Side Star Wars Half Marathon 2017 Weekend at Walt Disney World opens at 12 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. The Disney half marathon race weekend themed to The “Dark Side” will take place April 20-23, 2017 in a galaxy far, far away. OK, it’s really in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, but you get the idea. I ran the inaugural race in 2016, courtesy of runDisney, and had a blast(er)!

More than 18,180 runners finished The Dark Side Star Wars Half Marathon and another 12,173 flew through the Star Wars 10K in 2016. Among them all, 6,795 runners completed the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge by finishing the 10K and half-marathon on consecutive days. All those races will be back for 2017, along with the Star Wars 5K, runDisney Kids Races, and free runDisney Health and Fitness Expo—the only place where you can buy shoes in the coveted New Balance runDisney Collection.

Star Wars Half—The Light Side runs at Disneyland (runDisney)

The Walt Disney World race weekend also has a companion event at Disneyland. The Light Side Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend will take place January 12-15, 2017 in California. Runners who complete both Star Wars Half Marathons receive an extra medal for completing the Kessel Run Challenge in this special edition of the Coast to Coast Race Challenge. Registration for The Light Side Star Wars Half Marathon is open.

I ran the The Dark Side Star Wars Half Marathon at Walt Disney World in 2016 as a media guest of runDisney, and absolutely loved the race. You can read about my experience at Shape.com and RunKarlaRun.com: Read the rest of this entry →

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon medals (Disney)

In nine weeks, runners will storm Disneyland Paris in Val d’Europe, France for the first time: the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon takes off on Sunday, September 25, 2016. I’ll be among them as a media guest of runDisney. Now, we’ve got a glimpse of the medals we’ll earn.

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Medal

For the main 13.1-mile event, Mickey Mouse is, of course, the main man. He runs around Sleeping Beauty Castle, the iconic heart of Disneyland Paris, just like runners will. Flourished with the French fleur-de-lis, the gold medal hangs from a blue lanyard. It’s the official color of Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon medal (Disney)

Disneyland Paris 5K & runDisney Kids Races Medallions

The runDisney Kids Races medallion also features Mickey Mouse in living color, while the Disneyland Paris 5K medallion stars another rodent—Remy of Ratatouille fame. Both hang from blue and gold ribbons. Read the rest of this entry →

Disney Princess Half Marathon 2017 Registration opens July 12. (Walt Disney World)

Registration for the 2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals opens Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 12 p.m. ET. The women-focused race weekend will take place at Walt Disney World in Florida from February 23-26, 2017. The race is the second largest women’s running event in the U.S. with 20,138 finishers in 2016.

(runDisney)

The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend includes the titular Disney Princess Half Marathon, Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, Disney Princess 5K, runDisney Kids Races, and Disney Glass Slipper Challenge.

The Challenge asks runners to complete both the 10K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday for a total of 19.3 miles. They’ll earn three medals total: one for each race and one for the Challenge. To qualify, runners must register for the Challenge, not each race individually.

The free runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex also takes place from Thursday through Saturday. The Expo is the only place runners can find shoes in the New Balance runDisney Collection.

During race registration, runners can also purchase the VIP Race Retreat Package with access to a suite of pre- and post-race amenities.

The Disney Princess Half Marathon takes runners from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back, including a run through Cinderella Castle. The 10K and 5K courses traditionally run through Epcot and the Disney BoardWalk area. Read the rest of this entry →

Star Wars Half Marathon 2017 registrations opens June 14. (runDisney)

Registration for the Star Wars Half Marathon 2017 “The Light Side” Weekend at Disneyland opens at 12 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. The Disney half marathon race weekend themed to “The Light Side” will take place January 12-15, 2017 in a galaxy far, far away. OK, it’s really in Anaheim, Calif.

More than 20,600 runners finished the Star Wars Half Marathon “The Light Side” and Star Wars 10K in 2016, with another 6,250 runners registered for the non-timed Star Wars 5K and runDisney Kids Races. Among them all, 4,550 runners completed the Star Wars Rebel Challenge by finishing the 10K and half-marathon on consecutive days. All those races will be back for 2017, along with the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo—the only place where you can buy shoes in the coveted New Balance runDisney Collection.

The Kessel Run Challenge Medal (runDisney)

Disney has yet to release the 2017 course maps, but last year’s races ran through Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Downtown Disney and the streets of Anaheim, Calif., with Star Wars characters and cos-players along the route.

The Disneyland race weekend also has a companion event at Walt Disney World. The Star Wars Half Marathon 2017 “The Dark Side” Weekend will take place April 20-23, 2017 at Walt Disney World in Florida. Runners who complete both Star Wars Half Marathons receive an extra medal for completing the Kessel Run Challenge in this special edition of the Coast to Coast Race Challenge. Registration for the Star Wars Half Marathon “The Dark Side” opens August 9, 2016.

I’ve never run the Star Wars Half Marathon “The Light Side” at Disneyland. But I ran the Star Wars Half Marathon “The Dark Side” at Walt Disney World in 2016 as a media guest of runDisney, and had a blast. You read about my experience here:

Race Report: Star Wars Half Marathon—The Dark Side

Escape time! (RunKarlaRun.com)

Read the rest of this entry →

Walt Disney World Marathon 2017 takes place in January. (Preston Mack/runDisney)

Registration for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2017 Weekend opens Tuesday, April 26 at 12 p.m. ET at runDisney.com. Disney’s original running event kicks off the new year from January 4-8 at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna is one of the largest running festivals in the U.S. with more than 65,000 finishers in five races and three race challenges: Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K, Walt Disney World 5K, runDisney Kids Races, Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, Dopey Challenge, and Disney Castaway Cay Challenge.

The Walt Disney World Marathon 2017 weekend also includes the free runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, ticketed Race Retreat for pre- and post-race pampering, and Runner’s World VIP race package, which includes race entry, coaching, welcome party, Race Retreat, and other perks.

Runners in Magic Kingdom (runDisney)

The Walt Disney World Marathon takes runners through all four theme parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Walt Disney World Half Marathon, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017, tours Magic Kingdom and Epcot. And the 10K and 5K run around Epcot and environs. Read the rest of this entry →

Star Wars Half—The Dark Side runs at WDW (runDisney)

The inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon—The Dark Side takes runners to a galaxy far, far away. OK, it’s actually at Walt Disney World in Florida, where the Dark Side of the Force is strong on April 17, 2016. All together 43,000 runners will awaken The Force, with many registered for multiple events.

The Star Wars “Dark Side” themed race weekend includes the Star Wars Half Marathon, Star Wars 10K, Star Wars 5K, runDisney Kids Races and the two-day Dark Side Challenge, where runners complete the 10K and half-marathon on consecutive days. Many runners will also be completing the inaugural Kessel Run Challenge, by running both the Star Wars Half Marathon—The Light Side at Disneyland and the Star Wars Half Marathon—The Dark Side at Walt Disney World.

I will be among them, courtesy of runDisney, with my husband by my side. Our costumes? Chewbacca and Rey.

Rey and Chewie! (RunKarlaRun.com)

If you see us out there, say hello!

My niece and nephew ran the the runDisney Kids Races. Each asked me to run with them. How could I say no? We had a blast.

Star Wars Half runDisney Kids Races (RunKarlaRun.com)

Now it’s time to blast off for 13.1 miles of fun through the Star Wars Galaxy.

Here’s a look at runDisney’s galactic race weekend by the numbers.

The course is strong with The Dark Side. (runDisney)

Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon—The Dark Side By The Numbers

$2.053 billion—worldwide box office receipts for Star Wars: The Force Awakens to date

260,900—combined miles adult runners will tackle at the Star Wars Half Weekend. That’s 1.36125299e-8 parsecs or like circling the world the 9.5 times.

250,000—runners who participate in runDisney events each year

43,000—registrations for the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend—The Dark Side. It’s runDisney’s largest half-marathon.

36,000—cones used throughout the half-marathon course

23,000—gallons of water at aid stations, enough to fill a swimming pool 6-feet deep Read the rest of this entry →

Super Heroes Half Marathon runners channel Thor (Disney)

Registration opens Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 12 p.m. ET for the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland in California from November 10-13, 2016.

The Super Heroes Half Marathon and other weekend races run through Disneyland Resort and the streets of Anaheim with entertainment lining the course, including characters from Marvel’s The Avengers, bands, cheerleaders, and more.

The running homage to The Avengers and all comic book caped crusaders includes the title half-marathon, Doctor Strange 10K, Captain America 5K, runDisney Kids Races, runDisney Health & Fitness Expo, and the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge—running the 10K and half-marathon on consecutive days. Runners who register for the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge will earn a challenge medal in addition to bling for each race. To qualify, you must register for the challenge and not register for each race individually.

Super Heroes bling (Disney)

The weekend is the final 2016 event in the runDisney series, and runners’ last chance to earn a Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal by running a half-marathon or marathon at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California in the same calendar year.

Disney’s running series now has four race weekends at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and the new Disneyland Paris Half Marathon debuting in France in September 2016. Runners who complete the Paris half-marathon and a U.S. half-marathon or marathon in the same year will earn a special Castle to Chateau Challenge medal. Read the rest of this entry →

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon (runDisney)

Didn’t get into any of the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend races? You can still run by registering with a runDisney Charity Group or Travel Provider. Bibs for the half-marathon, Disney Wine & Dine 10K, Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K from November 3 to 6, 2016 are available.

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon is typically runDisney’s fastest selling race weekend. The 2016 races sold out in under 3 hours when registration opened Tuesday, March 29. The 10K and half-marathon filled within 30 minutes. The 5K and challenge weren’t far behind. Registration is still available for the runDisney Kids’ Races as of post time. Visit rundisney.com for more info or to register.

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon welcomes in 2016 a new Ratatouille-themed 10K and two-day race challenge, along with a new half-marathon route and start time for the main event. The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon is moving from Saturday night to Sunday morning due to ongoing construction and new hours at the theme parks. The race’s signature Post Race Party at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will still take place under the stars from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday night, when Epcot stays open late solely for runners and party ticket holders.

If you want to be among them, register to run with a charity or travel agent.

The 2015 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Medal (runDisney)

2016 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Charity Groups Program

runDisney Charity Groups offer guaranteed entries, discounted Walt Disney World Resort hotel rates, specially-priced Walt Disney World theme park tickets, and discounts on other race amenities. Check with each group individually for their requirements and benefits. To register, contact each group below. Read the rest of this entry →